prac·tice / ˈpraktəs/ • n. 1. the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method as opposed to theories about such application or use: the principles and practice of teaching he put his self-defense training into practice by helping police arrest the armed robber. ∎  the customary, habitual, or expected procedure of something: current nursing practice | modern child-rearing practices. ∎  the carrying out or exercise of a profession, esp. that of a doctor or lawyer: he abandoned medical practice for the Church. ∎  the business or premises of a doctor or lawyer: Dr. Weiss has a practice in Essex. ∎  an established method of legal procedure. 2. repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it: it must have taken a lot of practice to become so fluent. ∎  a period of time spent doing this: daily choir practices. • v. [tr.] (Brit. prac·tise) 1. perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency: I need to practice my French| [intr.] they were practicing for the Olympics. 2. carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly: we still practice some of these rituals today. ∎  actively pursue or be engaged in (a particular profession or occupation): he began to practice law | [intr.] he practiced as an attorney | [as adj.] (practicing) a practicing architect. ∎  observe the teaching and rules of (a particular religion): non-Muslims were free to practice their religion | [as adj.] (practicing) a practicing Roman Catholic. ∎  [intr.] archaic scheme or plot for an evil purpose: what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. PHRASES: in practice in reality (used to refer to what actually happens as opposed to what is meant or believed to happen): in theory this method is ideal—in practice it is unrealistic. ∎  currently proficient in a particular activity or skill as a result of repeated exercise or performance of it. out of practice not currently proficient in a particular activity or skill due to not having exercised or performed it for some time: he was out of practice at interrogation. practice makes perfect used to convey that regular exercise of an activity or skill is the way to become proficient in it, esp. when encouraging someone to persist in it. practice what one preaches do what one advises others to do.DERIVATIVES: prac·tic·er n.

PRACTICE

Repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of similar kind; custom; usage. The exercise of any profession.

The form or mode or proceeding in courts of justice for the enforcement of rights or the redress of wrongs, as distinguished from thesubstantive lawthat gives the right or denounces the wrong. The form, manner, or order of instituting and conducting an action or other judicial proceeding, through its successive stages to its end, in accordance with the rules and principles laid down by law or by the regulations and precedents of the courts.

An attorney is actually engaged in the practice of law when she maintains an office, offers to perform legal services, describes herself as an attorney on letterheads or business cards, counsels clients, negotiates with other parties or opposing counsel, and fixes and collects fees for legal work. A doctor is practicing medicine when he discovers the cause and nature of diseases, treats illnesses and injuries, or prescribes and administers medical or surgical care. Lawyers and doctors must qualify for licenses before they may practice their professions.

practice scheming, machination; (habitual or continuous) performance; exercise of a profession; (arith.) compendious method of multiplication by aliquot parts. XVI. f. practise, after advice/advise, device/devise; superseded † practic (XIV) — OF. practique (mod. pratique) — medL. practica — Gr. praktikḗ, sb. use of fem. of praktikós. practise perform (now habitually) XV; implied earlier in practiser XIV. — OF. pra(c)tiser or medL. practizāre, alt. of practicāre.
So practitioner XVI. Extension with -ER1 of practician (XV; — F. † practicien).

practice out of practice not currently proficient in a particular activity or skill through not having exercised or performed it for some time.
practice makes perfect proverbial saying, mid 16th century, often used as an encouragement.

See also an ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept.

practice •Attis, gratis, lattice •malpractice, practice, practise •Atlantis, mantis •pastis •Lettice, lettuce, Thetis •apprentice, compos mentis, in loco parentis, prentice •Alcestis, testis •poetess • armistice •appendicitis, arthritis, bronchitis, cellulitis, colitis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, dermatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, gingivitis, hepatitis, laryngitis, lymphangitis, meningitis, nephritis, neuritis, osteoarthritis, pericarditis, peritonitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis •epiglottis, glottis •solstice •mortise, rigor mortis •countess • viscountess •myosotis, notice, Otis •poultice • justice • giantess • clematis •Curtis • interstice • Tethys •Glenrothes • Travis •Jarvis, parvis •clevis, crevice, Nevis •Elvis, pelvis •Avis, Davies, mavis •Leavis • Divis • novice • Clovis •Jervis, service •marquess, marquis